Saturday, August 22 – Wavre, Belgium: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Scotland in their first of their phase 2 FIH Hockey World Cup matches. Having gone a goal down in the opening quarter, Ireland’s Emily Kealy drew her side level before half-time. But a stunning Charlotte Watson strike just minutes into the second half proved the difference-maker, as Scotland secured the 2-1 win.
After an energy sapping effort from Ireland less than 48 hours prior against Belgium, Scotland began the tie looking the fresher and more energetic of the teams, immediately winning a flurry of penalty corners which forced Ireland into early defensive duties. Scotland eventually found their breakthrough from a set piece, Ellie Mackenzie providing the deflection in front of Lizzy Murphy to lift the ball into the roof of the net.
Scotland maintained their momentum into quarter two, winning yet another penalty corner which Ireland defended. A rare Irish attack eventually proved fruitful as Emily Kealy reacted quickest to a saved Christina Hamill effort to flick the ball into the back of the Scottish net and draw Ireland level in the 26th minute.
Ireland’s equalizer was somewhat short-lived as Scotland grabbed their second early in the second half, Charlotte Watson controlling a crash ball into the Irish circle and firing an inch-perfect strike into the roof of the net.
Ireland mounted a response immediately after as Niamh Carey did well to find goalscorer Emily Kealy who won Ireland a penalty corner, but Scotland cleared their lines. A second opportunity followed as Michelle Carey played a ball across the face of goal where Kealy once again came close, but the delivery was just out of her reach and Ireland remained a goal behind.
Ireland continued to search for their equaliser in the final period, but the toll of the battles in the days prior looked to be taking their toll as individual errors in the attacking third meant ventures into the Scottish circle were few and far between. Scotland ultimately held out to secure the 2-1 win.
The result sees Ireland drop to 3rd in Pool C behind the USA and Scotland. Ireland will play the USA in their second Pool H outing on Monday, August 24 as they look to climb back of the pool standings and maintain their pursuit of a 9th/10th place play-off place.
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